A C-segment car actually still is the perfect compromise. It's not too big and not too small.
Great examples are these, the Volvo V50 and the Ford Focus.
You might see the Focus more often, it wasn't as expensive as the Volvo after all.
What's fun about these though, is that they're on the same platform.
So we thought it'd be an interesting idea to put them to the test, side by side.
If you say Focus, you say great steering.
We already knew that when we first drove the first generation Focus.
This is no exception. It really is a great driving car.
It's kind of strange though, because it's just a normal C-segment car.
But it's really fun to drive. The steering is good, the chassis is good,
it's just really good.
In the front, we find a 1.6-litre producing 100 horsepower,
and maybe a few ponies as well, but isn't very special.
You shouldn't really expect great performance. It revs quite a bit,
but it's a good allrounder with a decent fuel consumption.
You'll probably do 12 or 14 kilometres per litre, depending on the way you drive it.
So it isn't too bad.
Also, it's about 100 kg lighter than the Volvo V50 we're testing today.
It's more spacious as well. You can see why;
it's bigger. It's 15 centimetres longer, which translates into more legroom in the back.
The boot is bigger as well. This can fit over 500 litres, which the Volvo doesn't even come close to.
It also has more headroom, because it's higher. So generally speaking, it's just a bigger car.
And that for the same price. When they were new however, this wasn't as expensive.
The gap between the Volvo and the Ford was €7000...
So this V50 shares its platform with that Ford Focus. They've been developed simultaneously as well,
Ford and Volvo were part of the same company back then, and you can feel that it's related to the Focus.
Driving the V50 is a different experience though, and that's for the best. The Volvo does have a different personality.
I'd rather describe this as a compact V70, because that's how it feels.
It's a little softer when it comes to the chassis, the steering isn't as sharp as the Ford...
Still, it's a very good car to drive. It's a lot more peaceful than the Focus.
You also notice Volvo has spent more money on insulating the interior. It's quieter than the Focus.
It's also a little more powerful. In the front we have a 1.8-litre FlexiFuel,
which means it's able to drive on bio-ethanol as well, because it's been developed for that as well.
It also means it isn't as efficient as the normal 1.8, or the 1.6 from the Ford Focus.
But again, it's a fine allround engine with decent performance for the Netherlands,
and even for the German Autobahn.
Let's take a look at the interior then. What immediately stands out,
is the finishing which is clearly better than the Focus. Let's use the word 'premium' again.
Better materials, a lot of attention to styling and detail,
and it's got that nice, sleek middle console.
It all looks very good. The seats are fantastic as well,
but that's something we're used to in Volvo's. They just offer so much seating comfort.
When it comes to space however, it isn't as rich as the Focus.
If you're in the back, your knees tend to touch the seat in front of you quite quickly.
And those are some disadvantages you have to deal with, if you want a better looking car.
Something you notice in the boot as well, because it's 100 litres down on the Focus.
Of course, it's not small or anything, but it doesn't come close to the Focus.
You better bring a roofbox if you go on vacation.
But if we put everything together, it's a very nice car to drive.
Right. They're on the same platform,
they've been built in the same year, they've got the same price...
If I had to choose based on those aspects, it would be very hard to do so.
If we consider the driving qualities and the finishing, this Volvo trumps the Ford.
It's price is a little more favorable, because it's being sold by a private seller instead of a dealer.
A dealer does offer a serviced car with guarantee et cetera, whilst you can take this car with you just like that.
And that's something which affects the price. But, considering the state of the car,
it isn't a huge risk. It hasn't done a lot of miles and it still looks very good.
My verdict? I'd go for this great Volvo V50.
I really like its handling, its beautiful interior, and the beautiful looks of the car itself...